Princess Diana's Ford Escort auctioned as 25th anniversary of her death nears

Silverstone Auctions said there was "fierce bidding" for the black Ford Escort RS Turbo before the sale closed. Photo / AP

A car driven by Princess Diana in the 1980s sold for £650,000 ($1.24 million) at auction this weekend, just days before the 25th anniversary of her death.

Silverstone Auctions said there was "fierce bidding" for the black Ford Escort RS Turbo before the sale closed. The UK buyer, whose name was not disclosed, paid a 12.5 per cent buyer's premium on top of the selling price, according to the classic car auction house.

Britain and Diana's admirers worldwide are preparing to mark a quarter century since her death. She died in a high-speed car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997.

Diana drove the Escort from 1985 to 1988. She was photographed with it outside boutique shops in Chelsea and restaurants in Kensington. She preferred to drive her own car, with a member of her security team in the passenger seat.

Diana drove the Escort from 1985 to 1988. Photo / AP

The RS Turbo Series 1 was typically manufactured in white, but she got it in black to be more discreet. Ford also added features for her security, such as a second rear-view mirror for the protection officer.

The car has just over 40,000km on it.

Last year, another Ford Escort that Diana used sold at auction for £52,000 ($99,500).